As Theo Huxtable, Malcolm-Jamal Warner solidified his spot in our hearts, minds, and the tradition without end. Whereas thousands and thousands mourn the stunning loss of life of The Cosby Present actor, followers fondly keep in mind all that this multitalented star gave the world in additional than 40 years.
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From without end humorous moments just like the notorious Gordon Gartrell shirt to giving a voice to silent struggles like dyslexia, Warner delivered a vibrant, complicated, and heart-warming portrayal of Black boyhood. In 1986, the efficiency earned him an Emmy nomination for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Sequence.
For a number of generations, Theo wasn’t only a beloved character — he was household. And Warner’s tragic passing in a drowning accident hits like he’s nonetheless the large brother many people knew and cherished since childhood.
Beyoncé up to date her web site with a memorial on the prime: “Relaxation in energy Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Thanks for being a giant a part of our shared tv historical past. You’ll be missed.”
Devastated reactions proceed pouring in from celebrities and public figures like Invoice Cosby, who in contrast the information to studying of his son’s homicide.
Maxwell recalled being star-struck when he met Warner.
“i keep in mind assembly u and never believing that ‘theo’ himself was conscious of me. the black illustration of our biggest variation. that is devastating my prayers and nicely needs to your family members. relaxation in peace malcolm,” the soulful singer wrote.
Magic Johnson recalled going from a brilliant fan of Warner’s to sharing deep conversations collectively.
“Cookie and I are unhappy to listen to in regards to the passing of our expensive good friend Malcolm-Jamal Warner. We have been each tremendous followers of the hit Cosby Present and continued to comply with his profession on exhibits like Malcolm and Eddie and The Resident. Each time I bumped into Malcolm, we’d have deep and enjoyable conversations about basketball, life, and enterprise. He’ll actually be missed.
Cookie and I are praying his household and shut associates throughout this tough time,” he wrote.
Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump remembered his award-winning spoken phrase.
“Malcolm-Jamal Warner, beloved for his position as Theo on The Cosby Present, has died at age 54. From Emmy-nominated actor to Grammy-nominated poet, he gave us many years of artwork, reality, and expertise. His voice, on display screen and in verse, shall be deeply missed. Relaxation in energy,” the legal professional.
Whereas the 54-year-old will at all times reside on as Theo, that was simply the breakthrough position in a profession that spanned greater than 40 years.
Learn extra about Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s contributions to the tradition outdoors of Theo Huxtable after the flip.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Off-Digicam
The previous baby star was simply as dynamic behind the digicam as he was on-screen. In 1989, Malcolm-Jamal Warner made his directing debut with music movies for New Version’s “N.E. Coronary heart Break” and Particular Ed’s “I’m The Magnificent.”
He introduced his skills dwelling to The Cosby Present, the place he directed 5 episodes, together with the long-lasting “Off to See the Wretched” episode. All of us in all probability comprehend it because the “massive enjoyable” second.
Warner went on to nurture the subsequent technology of rising stars as a director on exhibits like The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air, Kenan & Kel, and All That. He continued to drag double obligation as each the star and producer on 44 episodes of the hit comedy present with Eddie Griffin, Malcolm & Eddie, and 27 episodes of the blended household sitcom with Tracee Ellis Ross, Reed Between The Traces.
Assembly The Actual Malcolm-Jamal Warner By way of Poetry & Podcasts
Crediting his mother and father’ help since childhood, Warner’s creativity knew no bounds. He was an completed poet who received a Grammy for Greatest Conventional R&B efficiency in 2015 for his poem devoted to victims of the Sandy Hook faculty taking pictures on “Jesus Kids,” a Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway remake of the Stevie Surprise traditional.
Warner received the first-ever Grammy for Greatest Spoken Phrase Poetry Album in 2022 for Hiding in Plain View. For greater than 20 years, he has been an everyday performer on the Nationwide Black Theatre Competition.
In 2003, he additionally formally launched a music profession with The Miles Lengthy Mixtape. The follow-up to that jazz-funk fusion got here in 2007 with Love & Different Social Points. For the 54-year-old, the music didn’t cease after that. He continued jamming as a bass participant for the Organic Misfits, with an look on the 2024 Indy Jazz Fest.
Final yr, Warner took his deep ideas and conversations to a brand new platform with the Not All Hood (NAH), co-hosted by Candace O.Kelley and Weusi Baraka. The podcast gave followers a deeper, extra susceptible take a look at the star because the hosts explored the complexities of the Black neighborhood.
“””Once we speak in regards to the Black neighborhood, we have a tendency to talk of it as a monolith when the truth is there are such a lot of totally different aspects of the Black neighborhood, and we needed to have an area the place we will actually discover, talk about, and acknowledge all of these totally different features,” Warner advised PEOPLE.
In Warner’s final episode, launched simply two days earlier than his loss of life, he shared highly effective reflections on honoring the hood whereas difficult stereotypes and redefining “Black excellence.” He recalled a dialog about erasing the popularity of Black troopers’ contributions at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery.
The good friend disagreed with separate classes within the first place when their service as troopers ought to’ve mattered most. Nonetheless, Warner mirrored on the historical past of navy segregation, discrimination, and withheld advantages for Black veterans. Given this nation’s previous and current, the indicator of “Black” grew to become greater than a subset in Warner’s thoughts.
“For the primary time it made me factor of Black excellence another way. Black excellence now could be attributed to fame and cash, in order that’s been my concern with it. However now after I’m wanting into the story, Black survival in of itself is Black excellence,” he stated.
“All the pieces that we’ve to muster, all of our sources — whether or not or not it’s religious, whether or not or not it’s relational, whether or not or not it’s political to no matter extent — all the pieces that we’ve needed to muster simply to play on this taking part in subject is what makes us wealthy as Black folks, as Black tradition,” Warner continued.
Watch Malcom-Jamal Warner’s closing episode of Not All Hood (NAH) that includes Tameka “Georgia Me” Harper under.
Take a look at extra Malcolm-Jamal Warner performances to observe after the flip.
What To Watch If You’re Lacking Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Nothing beats watching Warner develop up onscreen as Theo, however it’s clear his creativity and ambition solely took off from Cosby. For followers eager to revisit the stellar work from his 43-year profession, listed below are some extra highlights.
The Producer on Magic College Bus
Actual followers know the Magic College Bus collection wouldn’t go as far with out The Producer character connecting the dots because the host. Warner voiced the character, who answered questions from youngsters calling in from all over the world. He defined the academic and incredible examples of ideas depicted on the present, typically including extra context. The unique run of the animated present is ideal for a consolation watch.
Malcolm McGee on Malcolm & Eddie
Whether or not you understand all of the episodes by coronary heart or haven’t seen a single one but, there’s by no means a foul time to observe Malcolm & Eddie. Warner performs the straight-laced reverse of comic Eddie Griffin. As finest associates and roommates, the hilarious shenanigans ensue once they use a sudden windfall of money to purchase their condominium constructing. The funding inlcudes the storage for Eddie’s tow truck enterprise and an previous pub downstairs, which they rework right into a sports activities bar.
AJ Austin on The Resident
Warner’s position because the award-winning physician AJ Austin is hailed as his best performing work. For six seasons, he performed the brand new hotshot Cardiothoracic, Normal, and Trauma surgeon at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. It’s a layered, nuanced efficiency as Austin navigates a traumatic previous, unstable current, and guides new residents by the calls for of their new careers.
“Heartbroken to listen to in regards to the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor. He introduced a lot depth, heat, and knowledge to each scene and each dialog. One of many nicest within the enterprise. Relaxation simple, brother. Your legacy lives on,” Chestnut wrote.
Warner is survived by his spouse and daughter. Our condolences exit to his household and family members.
